Why Would China Censor Winnie the Pooh?

Internet users in China recently noticed that all depictions and mentions of the popular children’s book character, Winnie the Pooh, have completely disappeared from the web. Chinese authorities have given no reason for the censorship, but users suspect the government is trying to stamp out comparisons of Winnie the Pooh to Chinese president, Xi Jinping.

Xi was first cast as Winnie the Pooh – or Little Bear Winnie as he is called in China – in 2013, during former President Barrack Obama’s visit. A series of memes poked fun at Xi by noting his physical similarity to the “bear of very little brain” when walking next to the much taller American president.

According to the Guardian, since the original meme emerged, Xi has commonly become the target of Winnie the Pooh comparisons:

In 2014, a photograph of Xi shaking hands with the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, was matched with an image of Pooh gripping the hoof of his gloomy donkey friend Eeyore.

In 2015, the political analysis portal Global Risk Insights said a picture of Xi standing up through the roof of a parade car paired with an image of a Winnie the Pooh toy car was “China’s most censored photo” of the year.

Chinese social media users have noticed that when they try to post about Winnie the Pooh, they receive a notification that reads, “this content is illegal.” Additionally, all Winnie the Pooh stickers have been removed from the Chinese chat service, WeChat.

It is unclear what the consequences are for breaking the ban, but in the past, Chinese authorities have reacted negatively to all criticism (however lighthearted) of Xi.